Recruiting Regulations: Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is the University of Chicago
responsible for the acts of boosters and booster support
groups?Answer: Yes. Boosters are governed by the same
NCAA rules and regulations as those placed upon all University of
Chicago athletics personnel.

Question: What are the basic provisions
of the recruiting regulations?Answer: In Division III, representatives of
athletics interests may make in-person on- or off-campus recruiting
contacts with a prospect so long as any off-campus contact occurs
AFTER the completion of the prospect's junior year
in high school. (NCAA Bylaw 13.01.5.3) This is in direct contrast
with the Division I so-called "booster-ban" legislation (NCAA Bylaw
13.01.5.1), which prohibits representatives of an institution's
athletic interests from making in-person, on- or off-campus
recruiting contacts, or written or telephone communications with a
prospect or the prospect's family or legal guardians.

Question: Once an individual has been
identified as a booster, how long does he or she retain that
status?Answer: Forever, even if the person discontinues
supporting the athletic programs.

Question: May a booster engage in evaluation activities
on behalf of the institution?Answer: The legislation does not preclude a
booster from viewing a prospect's contest on the booster's
initiative, subject to the understanding that the booster may not
make contact with the prospect. Any staff member or representative
of athletics interests desiring to contact a prospect at the
prospect's high school, preparatory school, or two-year college
shall first obtain permission for such contact from the
institution's executive officer. Please call Compliance
Coordinator Rosalie Resch for approval before attempting to
contact any prospective student-athlete.

Question: Can boosters entertain relatives and friends
of a prospective student-athlete at any site
off-campus?Answer: No.

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to transport,
pay or arrange for the payments of transportation costs incurred by
relatives or friends of a prospective student-athlete to visit the
campus or elsewhere?Answer: No.

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to pay in
whole, or in part, registration fees associated with summer sports
camps?Answer: No.

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to employ, or
arrange for the employment of, a prospective student-athlete before
the completion of the prospect's senior year of high
school?Answer: No. But bylaw 13.2.4.1 permits an
institution to arrange employment for a prospective student-athlete
that begins after the prospect's senior year in high school. If you
believe that there is a young person with athletic talent who might
be interested in attending the University of Chicago, DO
NOT contact him or her directly. Instead, please talk to
the appropriate coach.

NCAA Rules also apply to interaction between boosters
and current student-athletes:

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to provide
summer or term time employment to a current
student-athlete?Answer: Yes, but compensation must be paid only
for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the
going rate in that locality for similar services.

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to provide
gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his or her academic
performance?Answer: No, all awards must conform to the NCAA
awards legislation and must be approved by the institution.

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to pay in
whole, or in part, registration fees associated with summer sports
camps, or provide cash or the use of an automobile to a
student-athlete?Answer: No.

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to extend
funds to entertain a student-athlete and friends?Answer: No.

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to invite a
student to their home for a meal?Answer: Yes, a student-athlete or the entire team
in a sport may receive an occasional meal from a booster under the
following conditions:
(a) The occasional meal may be provided at any location in the
locale of the institution, and
(b) Meals must be restricted to infrequent and special
occasions.

Question: Is it permissible for a booster to provide an
honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking
engagement?Answer: No. Student-athletes may receive only
necessary travel expenses when speaking for educational or
charitable groups. All speaking engagements must be approved in
advance by the institution.